NORTHERN CAIRNGORMS
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/96
Strong winds have scoured recent deposits from most N to NW
facing slopes. Some small localised deposits of fairly stable
windslab do exist in sheltered locations however the snowpack
in the main is refrozen and stable. Avalanche hazard Low
(Category 1.

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/96
Little change, light snow flurries are unlikely to cause much
change to the snowpack which will remain stable. Small
localised deposits of windslab will persist in sheltered
locations. Avalanche hazard Low (Category 1)


CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION:
Sparse re-frozen snowpack above 850m
ICING:
Ice is reforming, some improvement noted.
COMMENT:
Easier gully lines in firm condition, buttresses remain lean.



LOCHABER
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/96
Areas of soft slab are continuing to form in localised areas
which are sheltered from the strong SE wind. Accumulations are
significant, mainly in gullies and hollows with a NW, N and NE
aspect above 1050m, and notably the upper reaches of
Observatory Gully on Ben Nevis. Where this fresh soft slab
exists, the avalanche hazard is Considerable (Category 3).

AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/96
Cold and windy conditions are expected to continue overnight
and on Wednesday. Localised areas of soft slab will be present
in sheltered gullies and hollows above 1050m. The slab will
generally be restricted to NW, N and NE slope aspects. Where
this slab exists in significant quantities, the avalanche
hazard will be Considerable (Category 3). Elsewhere the
snowpack is generally stable.



CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: Dusting of fresh snow above 700m.
ICING: Existing old snow is hard frozen.




GLENCOE
AVALANCHE HAZARD 1500 HRS TUE 23/1/96
A dusting of fresh snow exists above 400m.The strong SE winds
have deposited very localised areas of shallow windslab on
sheltered N to W facing slopes. Where windslab overlies old
snow ice (neve) in summit gullies and corrie headwalls the
avalanche hazard is Low (Category 1).


AVALANCHE HAZARD OUTLOOK WED 24/1/96
Strong winds will continue to transport soft snow onto the
sheltered N to W facing slopes above 500m.The avalanche hazard
is not expected to change, remaining Low (Category 1) and only
in localised areas such as summit gullies, corrie headwalls,
and where deeper deposits of windslab overlie the old patchy
snow ice.




CLIMBING CONDITIONS

SNOW DISTRIBUTION: A dusting of new snow above 500m.

ICING: Ice forming on paths and rocks above 450m.

COMMENT: Frosted buttresses will give good sport above 650m.
Significant windchill effect.

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